FirstNews Briefs: ViaSat, Samsung, ZTE

In-flight network switching between a U.S. Government Ka-band Wideband Global SATCOM satellite and a commercial Ka-band satellite has been successfully demonstrated by ViaSat Inc. The USAF proof of concept flight demonstration was conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center in cooperation with Air Mobility Command, 193rd Air National Guard, MITRE, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. The body of observers included representation from U.S. Strategic Command.

Samsung Electronics America introduced the first tablets in its new flagship Galaxy Tab S line. The Wi-Fi versions of the Tab S 8.4 will be available for $399.99, while the Tab S 10.5 will be $499.99. Pre-orders for Wi-Fi devices begin June 13 at 12:01 a.m. ET at Samsung.com. The Tab S will be available for purchase in July at Samsung.com, Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, Office Depot, Office Max, PC Richard & Son, Sears, Tiger Direct and Walmart.com. Later this year, the Galaxy Tab S will come to AT&T with LTE, Sprint (10.5) with Sprint Spark, T-Mobile (10.5) with LTE and Verizon Wireless (8.4 and 10.5) with LTE.

ZTE unveiled WEWORK, a suite of end-to-end mobile office services and applications to help enterprises and businesses adopt mobility with security assurance.